Inflatable Pool Cover for an Aboveground Swimming Pool

ABSTRACT

A pool cover for an aboveground swimming pool, the cover formed with an integrated inflatable and deflatable pocket centrally positioned on the cover. The cover is made of waterproof and durable vinyl PVC knife-coated material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is made to and priority claimed from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/742,535, filed on Oct. 8, 2018, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE EFS WEB SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

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FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to swimming pool covers for aboveground swimming pools. More specifically, the present invention is an inflatable swimming pool cover designed to safely cover an aboveground swimming pool during winter and prevent ice formation on the water surface that could damage the pool itself.

BACKGROUND ART

Swimming pools in many parts of the United States are used only during the warmest months of the year, and then are covered and “winterized” to protect the pool and water during the colder months. The cover keeps the water clean by sealing out leaves and dirt, and also by preventing algae growth in the spring when the water is too cold for swimming, but warm enough for algae to grow. The volume of water in the pool is also maintained by preventing snow and precipitation from entering the pool and reducing surface evaporation.

Management of ice formation in the pool is another significant winter challenge for pool owners. For an inground pool, the pool cover is tightly stretched across the pool surface and affixed to hooks along the pool's edge, such that the cover is held above the surface of the water of the pool. For an aboveground pool, the pool cover is draped across the top surface of the pool and water, and then secured around the edges or walls of the pool. The cover sits directly on top of and in contact with the water surface. When temperatures stay below freezing, ice forming in the pool outwardly exerts force on the walls of the pool and against the cover, potentially damaging both. To allow for ice expansion, it is important to create an air space between the cover and the water surface of an aboveground pool. Pool pillows, inflated air pillows that float on the top surface of the pool, are used to create this air space and are ideally positioned in a centralized location in the pool prior to installation of the pool cover. The pool pillows are positioned in the pool by weights tied to pool pillows that then hang down, somewhat like a ship's anchor. As the pool water freezes, the ice expands inwards towards the pillow's space instead of against the pool walls, and damage to the pool walls and to the cover is thus avoided.

A known problem with the floating pool pillow is that it must be inflated prior to installation of the cover, positioned in the center of the pool, and the position maintained by anchors attached to the pool pillow as the pool cover is pulled over the pillow and secured. The anchors, however, fail to maintain the pool pillow's ideal position in the center of the pool when the cover is installed. Pool covers are large and bulky and installing the cover over the floating pillow invariably repositions the pool pillow away from the ideal central location. The puffy pillow also makes cover installation and removal difficult, because the large, bulky cover must be pulled over a large, floating hump in the pool, rather than be allowed to slide or unfold over a flat surface. There is also no way to position an uninflated pool pillow in the pool and then inflate it after cover installation, and no way to similarly deflate the pool pillow prior to cover removal. Rather, a pool owner pre-inflates the pool pillow, positions it in the pool, and then struggles during cover installation to not tug the cover so much that it repositions the pool pillow too far from the optimal position. Pool owners may use one pool pillow or multiple pillows, and some pool pillow manufacturers recommend using multiple pillows, despite that more pillows often means more difficulty maintaining pillow position and further complicates pulling the large cover over more floating obstacles.

What is needed is a pool cover with a single integrated inflatable pillow that speeds up cover installation and removal while ensuring optimal pillow placement on the pool, and in a form that is durable, easy to use, and easy to inflate and deflate.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A pool cover for an aboveground swimming pool comprising a cover body having a top side with a centrally located inflatable and deflatable integral pocket for holding a quantity of air, the quantity of air entering and exiting the integral pocket through an adjustable air valve formed in the pocket. The pool cover and the integral pocket are sized and shaped to correspond with standardized sizes and shapes of aboveground swimming pools. A perimeter shape of the integral pocket is typically square or rectangular, with the integral pocket heat welded to the top surface of the pool cover body. The cover body is typically made of vinyl PVC knife-coated material, and the integral pocket may be made of a same or different material.

The adjustable air valve is typically formed so as to be compatible with a coupler of a motorized air pump so as to allow quick inflating and deflating of the integrated pocket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented in connection with accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an inflatable pool cover according to the invention, shown uninflated.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of the inflatable pool cover in FIG. 1, shown inflated and partially pulled onto an aboveground swimming pool.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inflatable pool cover shown installed on the aboveground swimming pool.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inflatable pool cover, showing the inflated pillow.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an air valve according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the air valve in Fig.5, shown in an open position.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the air value in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a pair of spaced apart grommets according to the invention.

DRAWINGS LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

The following is a list of reference labels used in the drawings to label components of different embodiments of the invention, and the names of the indicated components.

-   10 inflatable pool cover -   14 bottom surface -   16 top surface -   18 air valve -   18 a air valve lid or cap -   18 b air valve bottom -   20 pocket -   22 grommet -   24 welded seam -   30 aboveground swimming pool -   32 cord

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An inflatable pool cover according to the invention 10 is shown in the Figures as a waterproof material, typically vinyl PVC knife-coated material, having a top side 16 and a bottom side 14, and formed with an integral inflatable balloon or inflatable pocket or pocket 20 measuring between about 6 to (10) feet across a largest diameter for use with a pool cover for a circular pool, where the circular pool sizes range from 18 to 33 feet. The cover 10 has a cover body with a top side 16 and a bottom side 14, with the pocket 20 secured to the top side 16 only by way of a heat welded seam 24. For an 18-22 foot pool, the pocket 20 for a corresponding appropriately sized cover 10 is approximately 6 (foot by 6 foot square), for a 24 foot pool, the pocket 20 is about 8 foot by 8 foot square, and so on, up to a 10 foot square pocket for a 33 foot pool cover. Oval pools have similarly sized pockets that are correspondingly shaped and sized to fit those pool shapes, and the pocket would typically be more rectangular-shaped. The pocket 20 replaces a prior art weighted pillow, where the pillow has a weight or anchor affixed thereto, or plurality of prior art pillows that are currently used. The pocket 20, when inflated, performs a same function as the prior art pillow or plurality of pillows by raising a centermost portion of the cover 10 off of a water surface and thereby creating an air space between the centermost portion of the cover 10 and the surface of the water. The pocket 20, despite being welded to the top side 16 of the cover only, when inflated extends both outwards from the top side 16 and the bottom side 14, lifting the cover 10 off the surface of the water generally around the welded seam of the pocket and particularly around corners of the pocket 20. The pocket 20 in shown in the Figures as a square, and when inflated, angles between approximately 8 to 10 inches are formed around the welded seam 24 of the pocket 20. In FIG. 4, the pocket 20 is inflated, and while the pocket extends both outwardly from the top side 16 and the bottom side 14, the pocket comparatively projects outwardly more from the top side 16 than from the bottom side 14. As mentioned, the pocket 20 is centered on the cover body 24 during manufacturing by heat welding, but other suitable durable affixing methods can be used. Typically, a material used for the pocket 20 is a same material as for the cover body. The embodiment shown in the Figures shows a square shaped pocket 20, however other shapes can be used, and additionally, the pocket can be configured so as to extend equally outwards from top and bottom sides if desired.

The pocket 20 is further formed with an air valve 18 having a cap or lid 18 a and a base 18 b, the base 18 b secured around an opening formed into the pocket 20, the base 18 b having an air intake hole or other structure that allows air to be pumped into the pocket 20 and secured with the lid 18 a, and then by opening the lid 18 a, allowing the air to escape the pocket 20 via the base 18 b intake hole. Ideally, the base 18 b is designed so as to be compatible with a prior art air pump fitting to allow a manual or electric pump to be secured to the base 18 b to conveniently inflate the pocket 20. The air valve 18 is formed on the top side 16 so as to allow easier access to the air valve 18 and to prevent ice damage to the air valve 18 as is potentially the case if installed on the bottom side 14.

To install the cover 10, the cover 10 is typically unfolded and laid flat on a ground surface adjacent the pool 30, as shown in FIG. 1. The pocket 20 is inflated either before the cover 10 is pulled over the surface of the water, or when the cover is pulled about half way onto the pool as shown in FIG. 2. The inflated pocket is then centered in the pool 30, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and secured to the pool 30. The inventor notes that the method of inflating/deflating the pocket 20 when the cover is partially installed on the pool is most convenient particularly since the pocket 20 resting on the circumferential wall of the pool 30 is at an ergonomic height for the installer and does not require the installer to walk onto the pool cover at any point, or struggle with complicated folding or rolling of the cover 10 when it is flat on the ground, as shown in FIG. 1, in order to access the air valve 18 without walking on the cover 10.

The cover 10 is shown installed on an aboveground pool 30, shown in FIG. 3 as a circular pool. The cover 10 is secured using a rope or cord 32 inserted into a series of spaced apart grommets 22 formed along a circumference of the cover 10. The grommets 22 are shown most clearly in FIG. 8. The grommet-cord structure and method of securing the cover 10 to the aboveground pool is a same method currently used by the prior art. Other methods of securing the cover 10 to the pool 30, such as straps, hook and loop closures, etc. are also possible, and the inventor stresses that his cover 10 can be secured to the pool 30 in a number of useful ways not specifically shown in the Figures. Integration of the pocket 20 ensures the pocket placement position is always ideal, and the ability to adjust the pocket 20 while it is partially installed is ergonomic and convenient as it eliminates bending, crawling, and other activities that can be hard on the installer's back and knees if the pocket 20 air inflation or deflation can only be adjusted when the cover 10 is on the ground surface. Having a deflatable pocket 20 also makes storage convenient as the deflated pocket results in a flat cover that can be easily folded, rolled, transported and stowed. The pocket 20, reliably positioned in the center of the pool 30, also discourages snow and ice buildup on the top side 16 of the cover 10 by the crowning effect in the centermost portion of the pool, encouraging snow and precipitation to roll off the cover 10. Ensuring ice and snow do not buildup on the top surface 16 helps to maintain the air gap around the welded seam 24 of the pocket 20, and thus protects the pool's circumferential wall from ice damage due to ice expansion.

As previously mentioned, the inventor believes that vinyl PVC knife-coated material is suitable for his cover 10, as it is strong, waterproof, and capable of withstanding weathering. Typically, both the pocket and the cover body are made of a same material, although it is possible that the materials could differ. While vinyl PVC knife-coated material is best for this application, other suitable materials do exist and can be used so long as they are durable, waterproof, and capable of withstanding the elements. . The inventor believes a permanently affixed pocket is more convenient than using the individual pillows of the prior art, and his invention provides a reliable and convenient way for a single cover with a single integrated pillow to winterize and protect an aboveground pool, eliminating the struggle and cost of separate covers and pillows, and eliminating the need for multiple pillows. The inventor's cover 10, being perfectly flat because it is deflatable, is easy and fast to install, remove, and store.

It is to be understood that the above-described invention and embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. A pool cover for an aboveground swimming pool having a predetermined shape, size and largest diameter measurement, and whose volume of water is subject to freezing during a winter season, the pool cover comprising: a cover body having a top side, and a bottom side, a predetermined size, shape, perimeter, and largest diameter measurement based on the predetermined shape, size and largest diameter measurement of the aboveground swimming pool; an integral pocket formed and centrally located on the top side, the pocket having an interior space adapted to receive and hold a quantity of air and further having an opening formed into the pocket; and an adjustable air valve inserted into the opening in the pocket; wherein the pocket is further defined by a predetermined perimeter shape and a predetermined largest diameter measurement both based on the predetermined shape, size and largest diameter measurement of the aboveground swimming pool; wherein the predetermined largest diameter measurement of the pocket is between about 27% to 33% of the predetermined largest diameter measurement of the aboveground swimming pool; wherein adjusting the air valve into an open position allows the quantity of air to enter or leave the pocket; and wherein adjusting the air valve into a closed position prevents the quantity of air from entering or leaving the pocket.
 2. The pool cover in claim 1, wherein the largest diameter of the aboveground swimming pool is about 18 to 33 feet.
 3. The pool cover in claim 1, wherein the shape of the aboveground swimming pool is at least one of a circle and an oval.
 4. The pool cover in claim 1, wherein the predetermined largest diameter measurement of the pocket ranges from about 6 to 10 feet.
 5. The pool cover in claim 1, wherein the air valve is further comprised of a base having an air intake opening and a removable lid covering the air intake opening.
 6. The pool cover in claim 1, wherein the predetermined largest diameter measurement of the pocket is about 6 feet for the cover sized for the aboveground swimming pool whose largest diameter measurement ranges between 18 to 22 feet.
 7. The pool cover in claim 1, wherein the predetermined largest diameter measurement of the pocket is about 8 feet for the cover sized for the aboveground swimming pool whose largest diameter measurement is about 24 feet.
 8. The pool cover in claim 1, wherein the predetermined largest diameter measurement of the pocket is about 10 feet for the cover sized for the aboveground swimming pool whose largest diameter measurement is about 33 feet.
 9. The pool cover in claim 1, wherein the predetermined perimeter shape of the pocket approximates a square.
 10. The pool cover in claim 1, wherein the pocket is heat welded to the top surface.
 11. The pool cover in claim 1, wherein the pocket is made of vinyl PVC knife-coated material.
 12. The pool cover in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of grommets formed into the perimeter of the cover body, the grommets sized and shaped to receive a cord.
 13. A cover for use with an aboveground swimming pool having a predetermined size and shape and with a motorized air pump having a hose and a coupler, the pool cover comprising: a cover body having a top side and a predetermined surface area sized and shaped to cover a water surface area of the aboveground swimming pool; a pocket centrally positioned on the top side, the pocket having an interior space for receiving a quantity of air defined by an upper wall welded to a lower wall so as to form a perimeter shape around the pocket, with a hole formed into the upper wall through which air is received into or removed from the interior space; and an air valve having a lid removably secured to a base affixed into the hole, wherein the pocket has a pocket area measuring less than about 15% of the water surface area covered by the cover body; wherein removing the lid allows a quantity of air to be received by or removed from the interior space; and wherein the base is shaped so as to receive the coupler of the motorized air pump.
 14. The cover in claim 13, wherein the pocket is further comprised of a perimeter shape approximating at least one of a square and a rectangle.
 15. The cover in claim 13, wherein at least one of the cover body and the pocket are made of a vinyl PVC knife-coated material.
 16. The cover in claim 13, wherein the lower wall of the pocket is the top surface of the cover body. 